Shimla: The weather in Himachal Pradesh is set to take a sharp turn as the regional meteorological department has issued a severe weather alert for the hill state. According to the latest forecast, active disturbance will trigger thunderstorms, rain, hailstorms, and lightning strikes across multiple districts starting May 3.
The warning remains in effect for three consecutive days- May 3, 4, and 5. Officials have specifically issued an Orange Alert for May 4, signalling that the weather conditions are expected to be at their worst on Sunday. Widespread disruption is likely, and the department has advised residents to remain indoors during intense spells. Unsettled weather patterns are predicted to persist intermittently across the state until May 8.
Forecast details indicate that on May 3, several places will experience thunderstorms accompanied by rain and strong winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour. Conditions are expected to deteriorate further on May 4, with the probability of hailstorms, intense gusty winds reaching 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, and frequent lightning strikes. Similar patterns of thunder and lightning with gusty winds are likely to continue on May 5.
While a slight reduction in intensity is expected on May 6 and 7, scattered light rain may still occur in isolated areas. The anticipated weather shift poses a significant risk to the agrarian economy in the region. In the lower-altitude areas, farmers are currently engaged in the crucial harvesting and threshing of wheat.
Untimely rainfall at this stage can drench the harvested crop lying in the fields, potentially leading to spoilage. Simultaneously, the horticulture sector in the higher reaches remains highly vulnerable, as apple trees are currently in the flowering stage. Heavy hailstorms can cause substantial flower drop, which directly impacts the yield. Earlier this week, hailstorms in the upper Shimla region had already caused damage to apple crops.
Despite the potential damage, the spell of rain is expected to provide a significant respite to residents from the intense summer heat that had begun to build across the state.
In the last 24 hours, light to moderate rainfall was recorded in parts of the state. Sarahan registered the highest precipitation at 18.5 mm, followed by Sangla at 2.4 mm, Seobagh at 2.2 mm, Wangtoo at 1.0 mm, and Kalpa at 0.4 mm.
In terms of minimum temperatures recorded till Saturday morning, Tabo was the coldest at 4.9 degrees Celsius. Other key recordings include Kukumseri at 5.4°C, Kalpa 6.2°C, Manali 9.5°C, Sarahan 10.1°C, Bhuntar 13.2°C, Shimla 13.5°C, Solan and Barthin at 15.6°C, Sundernagar 16.3°C, Jubbarhatti 16.4°C, Palampur 16.5°C, Mandi 17.7°C, Nahan 18.1°C, Kangra 18.3°C, Bilaspur 18.5°C, Una 18.8°C, and Paonta Sahib and Dehra Gopipur at 21.0 degrees Celsius.
As of Saturday, the weather remains largely clear across the state with partly cloudy skies at some locations. The meteorological department has strictly advised residents, particularly farmers, to remain vigilant over the next few days and take necessary safety measures against lightning and hailstorms.
